Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia Hold First Tripartite Defense Cooperation Meeting

The Saudi-Turkish-Pakistani Tripartite Committee held its first meeting in Riyadh on Wednesday to discuss defense co-operation.

The meeting was attended by Talal Al Otaibi, Saudi Arabia’s assistant minister of defense; Lt Gen Muhammad Saeed, the Pakistani Army's chief of General Staff; and Turkish deputy defense minister Celal Sami Tufekci.

During the meeting, the three countries discussed developments in the defense industry, in addition to technology transfer and localization, and scientific research.

Pakistan has ordered 4 ASFAT MİLGEM Corvettes and already uses AKINCI and Bayraktar TB2 combat drones. Turkey’s Baykar won $3.1 billion to transfer AKINCI UCAVs to Saudi Arabia recently.

Islamabad wanted to procure 30 T129 ATAK helicopters for $1.5 billion, but the sale was blocked by U.S.’ refusal to supply engines. It also joined Turkey's National Combat Aircraft KAAN project.